Coin released mechanism in a vending machine

ABSTRACT

A coin released mechanism for mounting in a vending machine cassette comprises a drawer for delivery of an article to a customer. The drawer is operated by the customer by inserting a coin or coins in a transverse slot of the drawer. Fixed and movable coin supports are operatively associated with the drawer to support the coin(s) in the slot.

United States Patent Kenny 51 May 30, 11972 54] COIN RELEASED MECHANISM IN A 1,575,841 3/1926 Jewell ....194/58 ING MACHINE 1,758,390 5/1930 Curtls 1 94/58 1,656,752 1/1928 Naunton... ..194/58 [72] Inventor: Patrick Joseph Kenny, Bray, Ireland 1,801,796 4/1931 Chalmers l94/DIG. 15 2,386,191 10/1945 Bowman ..194/DIG. 15 [731 Assgnee' Limited Bray Ireland 436,074 9/1890 Doubleday 194/58 [22] Filed: June 1, 1970 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves [21] Appl. No 41, Assistant ExaminerThomas E. Kocovsky Attorney-Kurt Kelman [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT June 4, Ireland A n released mgchanism for un ng in a ng I machine cassette comprises a drawer for delivery of an article US. Cl- ..194/58, 2 to a custo ner The drawer is operated the custo ner by in. [5 i Int. Cl. ..G07f 1 1/20 erting a coin or going in a transverse slot of the drawer Fixed [58] Field of Search 1 94/5 8, DIG. 2, DIG. 15 and movable coin supports are operatively associated with the drawer to support the coin(s) in the slot. R i Cit d [5 6 e c 20 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,505,725 3/1922 Obranovits 194/58 Patented May 30, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet, 1

Inventor Pmaxm 5'. KS NM By 4W Bean-r" COIN RELEASED MECHANISM IN A VENDING MACHINE This invention relates to a coin released mechanism, for example for a vending machine, of the type arranged to be released by the insertion of two or more coins.

I A problem with vending machines is that a customer may insert money in the machine but then desire to recover his money without purchasing an article. This situation may arise where the customer having inserted money changes his mind and decides to purchase a different article. Thus it is desirable that return means be provided which will return the customer's money to him by ejecting it from the machine but which will not allow a dishonest person to obtain an article from the machine while recovering some or all of his money.

To this end the present invention provides a coin released mechanism adapted for mounting in a vending machine cassette comprising a drawer operable by a customer for the delivery of an article, the drawer having a transverse slot adapted to receive one or more mechanism actuating coins, and fixed and movable coin support means operatively associated with the drawer and so arranged as to support the mechanism actuating coin or coins in the transverse slot.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof given by way of example only in which FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of portion of a cassette according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a further portion of the invention, namely the drawer of the cassette illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a further perspective view of the drawer illustrated in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of portion of the drawer illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3,

FIG. 5 is a typical vertical section through the cassette showing the drawer in position,

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section through the cassette illustrating the coin released mechanism, in the inoperative position, with the drawer closed,

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the coin released mechanism in the operative position with the drawer partially open,

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrating the coin released mechanism in the operative position for returning a coin to the customer and with the drawer in the closed position,

FIG. 9 is a horizontal section similar to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrating a further construction of coin released mechanism according to the invention,

FIG. 10 is a typical vertical section through an alternative construction of cassette.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a further construction of cassette illustrating a coin receiving chute,

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the upper portion of the cassette illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 is a typical vertical section through the portion of the cassette illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Referring to the drawings there is provided a vending machine of the type which contains a number of cassettes. Each cassette comprises a rectangular box-like column member having sidewalls 1, a top wall 2, a back wall 3, a bottom wall 4 and a front wall 5 which has a removable transparent panel 50. An intermediate wall 6 is spaced apart from the back wall 3 and together with a spacer member 7 forms a coin entry chute 8. A coin receiving chute 9 is formed in the top wall 2 of the cassette.

Portion of the back wall 3 is cut away and the side walls 1 extended to form side extension walls la. The side extension walls la are bridged adjacent their vertical edges by a back extension wall 30 and'adjacent their lower edges by a shelf 10, which supports the coin released mechanism as will be described hereinafter. The shelf 10 is provided with a coin discharge opening 12. The side walls 1 and the side extension walls 1a are provided with grooves 11 which co-operate in use with a drawer indicated generally by the reference numeral 13. The upper portion of the cassette above the drawer 13 forms a goods storage area 14 while the lower portion forms a coin receptacle 15.

The coin released mechanism includes fixed support means which comprises an outer rib member 16 and an inner rib member 17 secured to the shelf 10 below the coin entry chute 8. The outer rib member 16 and inner rib member 17 are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the coin which will be used to activate the coin released mechanism. A pair of cut-out slots 18 and 19 are cut out of the inner rib member 17. It will be noted that the slot 19 is nearer to the free end of the inner rib 17 than is the slot 18. The coin released mechanism includes movable support means comprising a cam plate 20 pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 21 on the shelf 10. The cam plate 20 is provided with a coin receiving cut-out edge 22 having a shoulder 22a and with an upstanding pinion member 23 which engages a rack member 24 on the lower surface in the position of use, of the drawer 13. The spacing between the side of the cut-out edge 22 and the inner rib member 17 is slightly less than the diameter of the coin which will be used to activate the coin released mechanism. Pivotal movement of the cam plate 20 about the pivot pin 21 is controlled by a stop member 22b on the shelf member 10 and a coil spring 25 mounted between the cam plate 20 at 26 and the back extension plate 3a at 27.

The drawer 13 comprises a flat bottom plate 26, which in use engages the grooves 11 and on which is mounted an upper block 27 and a lower block 28. A slot 32 is provided sufiicient to accommodate two side by side coins 29 and 30 (Reference FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 where the coins are illustrated by interrupted lines). A handle 31 is mounted on one edge of the bottom plate 26. A channel member 33 is screwed to the bottom plate 26 through holes 34 (for simplicity the channel member 33 is only shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). The upstanding legs 35 of the channel member 33 serve to protect the goods and also to ensure that it is not possible to remove more than one article from the goods storage area 14 at any one time. In addition to the rack member 24 a cam plate protection member 36 is provided on the lower surface of the drawer 13. The upper block 27 has rigidly mounted thereon a mild steel bar 37 which in use engages a magnet 38 which is mounted on a cross-member 39. The cross-member 39 is permitted limited travel in the grooves 11, the extent of this travel being controlled by bolts 40 which are mounted at 41 on the cross-member 39 and through holes 42 in the back extension wall 3a. The bolts 40 are provided with coil springs 43, nuts 44 and washers 45 are provided on the outer end of the bolts 40, adjustment of the nuts 44 alters the extent of travel of the cross-member 39 in the grooves 11.

Prior to operation of the coin released mechanism, the magnet 38 is in contact with the bar 37 and the upstanding pinion member 23 engages the rack member 24 thus locating the slot 32 below the coin entry chute 8.

In use, to purchase, for example, a packet of cigarettes with two coins, the customer inserts a first coin 29 into the coin receiving chute 9, the coin 29 travels down the coin entry chute 8 and comes to rest in the first position in the slot 32 on and between the outer rib member 16 and the inner rib member 17. The customer inserts the second coin 30 into the coin receiving chute 9, the coin 30 travels down the coin entry chute 8 and enters the slot 32 where it is deflected by the coin 29 into the second position in the slot between the inner rib member 17 and the coin receiving cut-out edge 22. When the customer pulls the handle 31 of the drawer 13 the coin 30 engages the shoulder 22a of the coin receiving cut-out edge 22, the cam plate 20 pivots about the pivot pin 21, the upstanding member 23 disengages from the rack member 24 and allows the customer to open the drawer l3 sufficiently to extract a packet of cigarettes. As the drawer 13 is pulled out the coins 29 and 30 are pulled along the outer rib member 16 and the inner rib member 17, and the inner rib member 17 and the shoulder 22a respectively to fall into the coin receptacle 15. When the drawer 13 is in the open position the channel member 33 makes it very difiicult if not impossible for a dishonest person to remove further packets of cigarettes from the goods storage area 14 without pushing the drawer back into the inoperative position and inserting further coins. Further the cam plate protection member 36 protects the cam plate 20 from interference by such a person to push a lever or the like against the upstanding pinion member 23 and thus disengage it from the rack member 24.

Should the customer desire to recover his money without purchasing the cigarettes he may operate the coin released mechanism to return the coins by pushing the drawer 13 inwards. Referring to FIG. 8 as the drawer 13 is pushed inwards the coin 29 is carried inwards in the slot 32 along the outer rib member 16 and the inner rib member 17 and the coin 30 is carried inwards in the slot 32 along the inner rib member 17 and the coin receiving cut-out edge 22. As the coins 29 and 30 are pushed inwards, the coin 30 engages the slot 19 and falls through the coin discharge opening 12 and then the coin 29 engages the slot 18 and also falls through the coin discharge opening 12. It will be noted that since the slot 19 is nearer to the free end of the inner rib 17 than the slot 18 that the coin 30, which in effect operates the coin released mechanism for the dispensing of goods is the first coin to be discharged, again foiling any attempt to obtain goods after receiving one or more coins back from the machine. As the drawer 13 is pushed inwards the bolts 40 move in the holes 42 and depress the springs 43. When the customer releases the drawer 13 the springs 43 cause the drawer 13 to move outwards away from the back extension wall 3a and to assume its normal closed position.

If a customer inadvertently inserts a coin into the coin receiving chute 9 while the drawer 13 is open the coin will travel down the coin entry chute 8 and be retained there until the drawer 13 is closed again when the coin will fall into the slot 32.

Referring to FIG. 9 there is illustrated a construction of coin released mechanism adapted to receive one coin 70 (similar parts to those previously described are illustrated by similar reference numerals. The only difference between this embodiment of the invention and the previously described embodiment is that there is provided only one rib member 71, which is provided with a slot 72. In use the coin 70 travels down the coin entry chute 8 and rests on and between the rib member 71 and the cut-out edge portion 22 of the coin plate 20.

It will be appreciated that in the embodiments described above that cut-out slots 18 and 19 were provided in the inner rib member 17 and a cut out slot 72 was provided in the rib member 71 to facilitate the ejection of the coins from the coin released mechanism. Needless to say ejection of the coins may also be achieved by increasing the spacings between the outer rib member and the inner rib member and between the inner rib member and the cut out edge portion 22 of the cam plate 20 or by increasing the spacing between the rib member 71 and the cut out edge portion 22 of the cam plate 20 adjacent the edge of the shelf 10, whereby a pushing movement by a customer to the drawer 13 ejects the coin or coins.

Referring to FIG. there is illustrated a coin released mechanism capable of receiving three coins 50, 51 and 52. Basically the only difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment of the invention described is that the upper block (not shown, but defining illustrated slot 54 and comparable to upper block 27 of FIG. 2; other parts similar to those previously described are indicated by the same reference numerals) is deeper (i.e., of greater thickness) than the upper block 27 thus necessitating a slot 54 deeper than the slot 32 of the previously described embodiment. A short divider member 55 is provided in the slot 54.

In use, the coin 50 travels down the coin entry chute 8 and rests on and between the outer rib member 16 and the inner rib member 17. The second coin 51 travels down the coin entry chute 8 and comes to rest on top of the coin 50, being prevented from rolling between the cut-out edge 22 and the inner rib member 17. The third coin 52 travels down the coin entry chute 8, onto the top of the coin 51 and then between the cut-out edge 22 and the inner rib member 17. The remainder of the operation being performed as previously described.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 there is illustrated part of the upper portion of a cassette illustrating an alternative construction of coin receiving chute 60, parts similar to those previously described are indicated by the same reference numerals.

The coin receiving chute 60 comprises an inclined bottom plate 61 which is mounted adjacent the coin delivery slot 8 on a top cover plate 62, two convergent side plates 63 and an inclined top plate 64. The lower portions of the bottom plate 61 and the top plate 64 form in use a coin transfer shute 65. The width of the coin transfer chute 65, chute the distance between the converged ends of plates 63, is slightly larger than the diameter of the coins being used. The bottom plate 61 is provided with a coin reject hole 66, the diameter of which is slightly less than the diameter of the coins being used. An elongated access slot 67 is provided in the top plate 64.

In use, coins larger than those required to operate the coin released mechanism will not be small enough to enter the coin transfer chute 65 at the narrowest point between converging plates 63, while coins of smaller diameter than the required coins will fall through the hole 66 and will lie on the top cover plate 62 until removed by the customer. It will be appreciated that the slot 67 is necessary to allow the coin to move from the coin transfer chute 65 into the coin entry chute 8.

In one arrangement of vending machine according to this invention six cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like container having a top, bottom side walls, a back and a substantially rectangular front which is removable after release of a lock or locks. This rectangular front obviates the necessity to supply individual removable front panels on each cassette as hereinbefore described.

The container front has coin slots leading to the coin entry chutes of the individual cassettes, a window extending across almost the full width of the front so that a customer may see if there are goods in the cassettes, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level, a second substantially horizontal aperture which in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container, acts as a coin exit chute.

What I claim is:

l. A coin released mechanism adapted for mounting in a vending machine cassette comprising:

1. a drawer operable by a customer for the delivery of an article, the drawer having a transverse slot adapted to receive a mechanism actuating coin;

2. a rack member secured to the lower surface of the drawer; a shelf adjacent the lower surface of the drawer and hav' ing an outer edge spaced from the transverse slot; 4. a rib member fixed to and projecting from the outer shelf edge for the support of the mechanism actuating coin; 5. a spring loaded cam plate pivotally mounted on the shelf and projecting from the outer shelf edge,

a. the cam plate having a cut-out edge portion forming a shoulder arranged for engagement with the mechanism actuating coin and b. the spacing between the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the rib member in alignment with the transverse slot being less than the diameter of the mechanism actuating coin; and

6. an upstanding pinion member mounted on the cam plate and arranged for engagement with the rack member (a) whereby a pulling movement applied to the drawer is transmitted by the mechanism actuating coin to the pivotal cam plate to disengage the cam plate pinion from the rack member thereby releasing the drawer and delivering the article to the customer, and the spacing between the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the rib member adjacent the outer shelf edge being greater than the diameter of a mechanism actuating coin, whereby a pushing movement applied by the customer to the drawer displaces the mechanism actuating coin relative to the cam plate and rib member towards the outer shelf edge to eject the mechanism actuating coin.

2. A coin released mechanism according to claim 1 in which the vending machine cassette comprises a rectangular column member having side walls, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall which has a movable panel, said back wall having spaced therefrom an intermediate wall which together with a spacer member defines a coin entry chute, and said top wall having a coin receiving chute formed therein.

3. A coin released mechanism according to claim 2 in which the cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like container having a top, a bottom, a back and side walls and a removable rectangular front wall, which has coin slots giving access to the coin entry chutes of individual cassettes, a window extending across its full width so as to expose the articles in the cassettes to the customer's view, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level a second substantially horizontal aperture which in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container acts as a coin exit chute.

4. A coin released mechanism according to claim 2 in which the drawer is slidably mounted by means of a pair of grooves in the side walls of the cassette and in which the drawer has return means comprising a spring urged bar member positioned transverse to the direction of motion of the drawer, slidably mounted in said grooves and secured by a pair of spring loaded bolts to a back extension wall of the cassette.

5. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 2, in which the coin receiving chute comprises:

1 an inclined top plate;

2. a spaced apart inclined bottom plate having a coin reject hole of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a coin to be used; and

3. two side plates, the spacing between the two side plates being slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be used.

6. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 1 in which the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the rib member are substantially parallel and in which the rib member is provided with a cut-out slot facing the cut out edge portion of the cam plate adjacent the outer shelf edge whereby the pushing movement ejects the mechanism actuating coin through the slot in the rib member.

7. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 6, in which the vending machine cassette comprises a rectangular column member having side walls, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall which has a movable panel, said back wall having spaced therefrom an intermediate wall which, together with a spacer member, defines a coin entry chute, and said top wall having a coin receiving chute formed therein.

8. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 7, in which the drawer is slidably mounted in a pair of grooves in the side walls of the cassette and in which the drawer has return means comprising a spring urged bar member positioned transverse to the direction of motion of the drawer, slidably mounted in said grooves and secured by a pair of spring loaded bolts to a back extension wall of the cassette.

9. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 7, in which the coin receiving chute comprises:

1. an inclined top plate;

2. a spaced apart inclined bottom plate having a coin reject hole of diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a coin to be used; and

3. two side plates the spacing between the two side plates being slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be used.

10. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 7, in which the cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like container having a top, a bottom, a back and side walls and a removable rectangular front wall having coin slots giving access to the coin entry chutes of individual cassettes, a window exposing the articles in the cassettes to the customer's view, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level a second substantially horizontal aperture which, in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container, acts as a coin exit chute.

111. A coin released mechanism adapted for mounting in a vending machine cassette comprising:

'1 a drawer operable by a customer for the delivery of an article, the drawer having a transverse slot adapted to receive at least two mechanism actuating coins;

2. a rack member secured to the lower surface of the drawer;

3. a shelf adjacent the lower surface of the drawer and having an outer edge spaced from the transverse slot;

4. an inner n'b member fixed to and projecting from the outer shelf edge;

5. an outer rib member fixed to and projecting from the outer shelf edge, the spacing between the inner rib member and the outer rib member in alignment with the slot being less than the diameter of the mechanism actuating coins, to support a first one of the coins;

6. a spring loaded cam plate pivotally mounted on the shelf and projecting from the outer shelf edge,

a. the cam plate having a cut-out edge portion forming a shoulder arranged for engagement with a second one of the mechanism actuating coins to support the second coin and b. the spacing between the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the inner rib member in alignment with the transverse slot being less than the diameter of the second coin; and

7. an upstanding pinion member mounted on the cam plate and arranged for engagement with the rack member a. whereby a pulling movement applied to the drawer is transmitted by the second mechanism actuating coin to the pivotal cam plate to disengage the cam plate pinion from the rack member thereby releasing the drawer and delivering the article to the customer, and the spacings adjacent the outer shelf edge between the outer rib member and the inner rib member and between the inner rib member and the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate being each greater than the diameter of a mechanism actuating coins, whereby a pushing movement applied by the customer to the drawer displaces the mechanism actuating coins rela tive to the rib members and the cam plates to eject the mechanism actuating coins, the spacings being ar ranged so as to eject the second mechanism actuating coin before the first mechanism actuating coin.

12. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 11, in which the vending machine cassette comprises a rectangular column member having side walls, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall which has a removable panel, said back wall hav ing spaced therefrom an intermediate wall which together with a spacer member defines a coin entry chute, and said top wall having a coin receiving chute formed therein.

13. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 12, in which the drawer is slidably mounted in a pair of grooves in the side walls of the cassette and in which the drawer has return means comprising a spring urged bar member positioned transverse to the direction of motion of the drawer, slidably mounted in said grooves and secured by a pair of spring loaded bolts to a back extension wall of the cassette.

14. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 12, in which the coin receiving chute comprises:

1. an inclined top plate;

2. a spaced apart inclined bottom plate having a coin reject hole of diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a coin to be used; and

3. two side plates the spacing between the two side plates being slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be used.

15. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 12, in which the cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like container having a top, a bottom, a back and side walls and a removable rectangular front wall which has coin slots giving access to the coin entry chutes of individual cassettes, a window exposing the articles in the cassettes to the customer's view, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level a second substantially horizontal aperture which, in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container, acts as a coin exit chute.

16. A coin released mechanism according to claim 11 in which the inner rib member and the outer rib member and the inner rib member and the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate are substantially parallel and in which the inner rib member has a pair of cut-out slots, facing the outer rib member and the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate respectively, the latter slot being nearer to the free end of the inner rib member than the first slot,

17. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 16, in which the vending machine cassette comprises a rectangular column member having side walls, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall having a removable panel, said back wall having spaced therefrom an intermediate wall which, together with a spacer member, defines a coin entry chute, and said top wall having a coin receiving chute formed therein.

18. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 17, in which the drawer is slidably mounted in a pair of grooves in the side walls of the cassette and in which the drawer has return means comprising a spring urged bar member positioned transverse to the direction of motion of the drawer, slidably mounted in said grooves and secured by a pair of spring loaded bolts to a back extension wall of the cassette.

19. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 17, in which the coin receiving chute comprises:

1. an inclined top plate;

2. a spaced apart inclined bottom plate having a coin reject hole of diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a coin to be used; and

3. two side plates the spacing between the two side plates being slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be used.

20. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 17, in which the cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like contalner having a top, a bottom, a back and side walls and a removable rectangular front wall, which has coin slots giving access to the coin entry chutes of individual cassettes, a window exposing the articles in the cassettes to the customer's view, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level a second substantially horizontal aperture which, in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container, acts as a coin exit chute. 

1. A coin released mechanism adapted for mounting in a vending machine cassette comprising:
 1. a drawer operable by a customer for the delivery of an article, the drawer having a transverse slot adapted to receive a mechanism actuating coin;
 2. a rack member secured to the lower surface of the drawer;
 3. a shelf adjacent the lower surface of the drawer and having an outer edge spaced from the transverse slot;
 4. a rib member fixed to and projecting from the outer shelf edge for the support of the mechanism actuating coin;
 5. a spring loaded cam plate pivotally mounted on the shelf and projecting from the outer shelf edge, a. the cam plate having a cut-out edge portion forming a shoulder arranged for engagement with the mechanism actuating coin and b. the spacing between the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the rib member in alignment with the transverse slot being less than the diameter of the mechanism actuating coin; and
 6. an upstanding pinion member mounted on the cam plate and arranged for engagement with the rack member (a) whereby a pulling movement applied to the drawer is transmitted by the mechanism actuating coin to the pivotal cam plate to disengage the cam plate pinion from the rack member thereby releasing the drawer and delivering the article to the customer, and the spacing between the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the rib member adjacent the outer shelf edge being greater than the diameter of a mechanism actuating coin, whereby a pushing movement applied by the customer to the drawer displaces the mechanism actuating coin relative to the cam plate and rib member towards the outer shelf edge to eject the mechanism actuating coin.
 2. a rack member secured to the lower surface of the drawer;
 2. a rack member secured to the lower surface of the drawer;
 2. a spaced apart inclined bottom plate having a coin reject hole of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a coin to be used; and
 2. a spaced apart inclined bottom plate having a coin reject hole of diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a coin to be used; and
 2. A coin released mechanism according to claim 1 in which the vending machine cassette comprises a rectangular column member having side walls, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall which has a movable panel, said back wall having spaced therefrom an intermediate wall which together with a spacer member defines a coin entry chute, and said top wall having a coin receiving chute formed therein.
 2. a spaced apart inclined bottom plate having a coin reject hole of diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a coin to be used; and
 2. a spaced apart inclined bottom plate having a coin reject hole of diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a coin to be used; and
 3. two side plates the spacing between the two side plates being slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be used.
 3. a shelf adjacent the lower surface of the drawer and having an outer edge spaced from the transverse slot;
 3. two side plates the spacing between the two side plates being slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be used.
 3. A coin released mechanism according to claim 2 in which the cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like container having a top, a bottom, a back and side walls and a removable rectangular front wall, which has coin slots giving access to the coin entry chutes of individual cassettes, a window extending across its full width so as to expose the articles in the cassettes to the customer''s view, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level a second substantially horizontal aperture which in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container acts as a coin exit chute.
 3. two side plates the spacing between the two side plates being slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be used.
 3. two side plates, the spacing between the two side plates being slightly larger than the diameter of the coin to be used.
 3. a shelf adjacent the lower surface of the drawer and having an outer edge spaced from the transverse slot;
 4. a rib member fixed to and projecting from the outer shelf edge for the support of the mechanism actuating coin;
 4. A coin released mechanism according to claim 2 in which the drawer is slidably mounted by means of a pair of grooves in the side walls of the cassette and in which the drawer has return means comprising a spring urged bar member positioned transverse to the direction of motion of the drawer, slidably mounted in said grooves and secured by a pair of spring loaded bolts to a back extension wall of the cassette.
 4. an inner rib member fixed to and projecting from the outer shelf edge;
 5. an outer rib member fixed to and projecting from the outer shelf edge, the spacing between the inner rib member and the outer rib member in alignment with the slot being less than the diameter of the mechanism actuating coins, to support a first one of the coins;
 5. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 2, in which the coin receiving chute comprises:
 5. a spring loaded cam plate pivotally mounted on the shelf and projecting from the outer shelf edge, a. the cam plate having a cut-out edge portion forming a shoulder arranged for engagement with the mechanism actuating coin and b. the spacing between the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the rib member in alignment with the transverse slot being less than the diameter of the mechanism actuating coin; and
 6. an upstanding pinion member mounted on the cam plate and arranged for engagement with the rack member (a) whereby a pulling movement applied to the drawer is transmitted by the mechanism actuating coin to the pivotal cam plate to disengage the cam plate pinion from the rack member thereby releasing the drawer and delivering the article to the customer, and the spacing between the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the rib member adjacent the outer shelf edge being greater than the diameter of a mechanism actuating coin, whereby a pushing movement applied by the customer to the drawer displaces the mechanism actuating coin relative to the cam plate and rib member towards the outer shelf edge to eject the mechanism actuating coin.
 6. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 1 in which the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the rib member are substantially parallel and in which the rib member is provided with a cut-out slot fAcing the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate adjacent the outer shelf edge whereby the pushing movement ejects the mechanism actuating coin through the slot in the rib member.
 6. a spring loaded cam plate pivotally mounted on the shelf and projecting from the outer shelf edge, a. the cam plate having a cut-out edge portion forming a shoulder arranged for engagement with a second one of the mechanism actuating coins to support the second coin and b. the spacing between the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate and the inner rib member in alignment with the transverse slot being less than the diameter of the second coin; and
 7. an upstanding pinion member mounted on the cam plate and arranged for engagement with the rack member a. whereby a pulling movement applied to the drawer is transmitted by the second mechanism actuating coin to the pivotal cam plate to disengage the cam plate pinion from the rack member thereby releasing the drawer and delivering the article to the customer, and the spacings adjacent the outer shelf edge between the outer rib member and the inner rib member and between the inner rib member and the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate being each greater than the diameter of a mechanism actuating coins, whereby a pushing movement applied by The customer to the drawer displaces the mechanism actuating coins relative to the rib members and the cam plates to eject the mechanism actuating coins, the spacings being arranged so as to eject the second mechanism actuating coin before the first mechanism actuating coin.
 7. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 6, in which the vending machine cassette comprises a rectangular column member having side walls, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall which has a movable panel, said back wall having spaced therefrom an intermediate wall which, together with a spacer member, defines a coin entry chute, and said top wall having a coin receiving chute formed therein.
 8. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 7, in which the drawer is slidably mounted in a pair of grooves in the side walls of the cassette and in which the drawer has return means comprising a spring urged bar member positioned transverse to the direction of motion of the drawer, slidably mounted in said grooves and secured by a pair of spring loaded bolts to a back extension wall of the cassette.
 9. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 7, in which the coin receiving chute comprises:
 10. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 7, in which the cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like container having a top, a bottom, a back and side walls and a removable rectangular front wall having coin slots giving access to the coin entry chutes of individual cassettes, a window exposing the articles in the cassettes to the customer''s view, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level a second substantially horizontal aperture which, in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container, acts as a coin exit chute.
 11. A coin released mechanism adapted for mounting in a vending machine cassette comprising:
 12. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 11, in which the vending machine cassette comprises a rectangular column member having side walls, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall which has a removable panel, said back wall having spaced therefrom an intermediate wall which together with a spacer member defines a coin entry chute, and said top wall having a coin receiving chute formed therein.
 13. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 12, in which the drawer is slidably mounted in a pair of grooves in the side walls of the cassette and in which the drawer has return means comprising a spring urged bar member positioned transverse to the direction of motion of the drawer, slidably mounted in said grooves and secured by a pair of spring loaded bolts to a back extension wall of the cassette.
 14. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 12, in which the coin receiving chute comprises:
 15. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 12, in which the cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like container having a top, a bottom, a back and side walls and a removable rectangular front wall which has coin slots giving access to the coin entry chutes of individual cassettes, a window exposing the articles in the cassettes to the customer''s view, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level a second substantially horizontal aperture which, in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container, acts as a coin exit chute.
 16. A coin released mechanism according to claim 11 in which the inner rib member and the outer rib member and the inner rib member and the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate are substantially parallel and in which the inner rib member has a pair of cut-out slots, facing the outer rib member and the cut-out edge portion of the cam plate respectively, the latter slot being nearer to the free end of the inner rib member than the first slot.
 17. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 16, in which the vending machine cassette comprises a rectangular column member having side walls, a top wall, a back wall and a front wall having a removable panel, said back wall having spaced therefrom an intermediate wall which, together with a spacer member, defines a coin entry chute, and said top wall having a coin receiving chute formed therein.
 18. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 17, in which the drawer is slidably mounted in a pair of grooves in the side walls of the cassette and in which the drawer has return means comprising a spring urged bar member positioned transverse to the direction of motion of the drawer, slidably mounted in said grooves and secured by a pair of spring loaded bolts to a back extension wall of the cassette.
 19. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 17, in which the coin receiving chute comprises:
 20. A coin released mechanism as recited in claim 17, in which the cassettes are installed side by side in a box-like container having a top, a bottom, a baCk and side walls and a removable rectangular front wall, which has coin slots giving access to the coin entry chutes of individual cassettes, a window exposing the articles in the cassettes to the customer''s view, a first substantially continuous horizontal aperture for the drawers to slide through and at a lower level a second substantially horizontal aperture which, in co-operation with an inclined ramp member situated inside and on the bottom of the box-like container, acts as a coin exit chute. 